Thomas Eakins

(American, 1844–1916)

Thomas Eakins was an American artist known for his realist depictions of the human figure in both painting and sculpture. Utilizing pioneering photographic techniques and anatomical knowledge, Eakins often painted athletes in motion, including rowers, wrestlers, and swimmers. “The brush is a more powerful and rapid tool than the point or the stump,” he once explained. “The main thing that the brush secures is the instant grasp of the grand construction of a figure.” Born on July 25, 1844 in Philadelphia, PA, he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1862–1866, while also attending anatomy lectures at Jefferson Medical College. In 1866, he travelled to Paris, enrolling at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he studied under both Jean-Léon Gérôme and Léon Bonnat. Returning to Philadelphia in 1870, Eakins set about accurately describing the things around him, closely observing the movements and physiognomy of both animals and humans. Appointed as director of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Eakins introduced an innovative curriculum, including thorough study of anatomy and dissection as well as scientific perspective. Though his methods revolutionized the teaching of art in America, his insistence on study from the nude scandalized student’s parents, and he was forced to resign in 1886. Throughout the remainder of his career, the artist focused his efforts on producing exacting portraits of his friends and acquaintances. Eakins died on June 25, 1916 in Philadelphia, PA. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, among others.

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Thomas Eakins (184 results)
Group Study, 1883

Thomas Eakins

Group Study, 1883

Sale Date: September 29, 2022

Auction Closed

Man with Hand on Hip and Arm behind Back (+ 11...

Attributed to Thomas Eakins

Man with Hand on Hip and Arm behind Back (+ 11...

Sale Date: May 4, 2022

Auction Closed

Untitled (Male Nudes Boxing), 1883

Thomas Eakins

Untitled (Male Nudes Boxing), 1883

Sale Date: April 13, 2022

Auction Closed

Thirteen Students, Pennsylvania Academy , 1882–1883

Circle of Thomas Eakins

Thirteen Students, Pennsylvania Academy , 1882–1883

Sale Date: April 14, 2022

Auction Closed

Portrait of Walt Whitman, 1884, 1884

Circle of Thomas Eakins

Portrait of Walt Whitman, 1884, 1884

Sale Date: April 7, 2022

Auction Closed

Woman with Pink Ribbon

Thomas Eakins

Woman with Pink Ribbon

Sale Date: November 5, 2021

Auction Closed

Students of the Pennyslvania Academy..., 1882–1883

Circle of Thomas Eakins

Students of the Pennyslvania Academy..., 1882–1883

Sale Date: September 28, 2021

Auction Closed

The Dancing Lesson, 1878

Thomas Eakins

The Dancing Lesson, 1878

Sale Date: June 30, 2021

Auction Closed

Portrait of Dr. Joseph Leidy, II, 1890

Thomas Eakins

Portrait of Dr. Joseph Leidy, II, 1890

Sale Date: May 19, 2021

Auction Closed

Portrait Sketch of Edward Boulton, 1887–1888

Thomas Eakins

Portrait Sketch of Edward Boulton, 1887–1888

Sale Date: March 3, 2021

Auction Closed

Baby Girl Playing and Seated Boy with Book:..., 1876

Thomas Eakins

Baby Girl Playing and Seated Boy with Book:..., 1876

Sale Date: July 29, 2020

Auction Closed

SELECTED IMAGES, 1880–1890

Thomas Eakins

SELECTED IMAGES, 1880–1890

Sale Date: July 14, 2020

Auction Closed

Portrait of Mrs. Matilda Searight

Thomas Eakins

Portrait of Mrs. Matilda Searight

Sale Date: May 22, 2019

Auction Closed

Woman in shade

Thomas Eakins

Woman in shade" ; with a study of a horse..., 1883

Sale Date: June 3, 2018

Auction Closed

Study for the portrait of Mrs. Charles L. Leonard

Thomas Eakins

Study for the portrait of Mrs. Charles L. Leonard

Sale Date: June 3, 2018

Auction Closed

Portrait of a Woman

Attributed to Thomas Eakins

Portrait of a Woman

Sale Date: May 11, 2018

Auction Closed

Portrait of Mrs. Matilda Searight, 1904

Thomas Eakins

Portrait of Mrs. Matilda Searight, 1904

Sale Date: May 22, 2018

Auction Closed

Portrait of a Successful Gentleman, 1905

Thomas Eakins

Portrait of a Successful Gentleman, 1905

Sale Date: February 17, 2018

Auction Closed

Miss Eleanor S.F. Pue, 1908

Thomas Eakins

Miss Eleanor S.F. Pue, 1908

Sale Date: December 3, 2017

Auction Closed

Dr. Patrick J. Garvey, 1902

Thomas Eakins

Dr. Patrick J. Garvey, 1902

Sale Date: November 21, 2017

Auction Closed

PORTRAIT OF GENERAL GEORGE CADWALADER, 1880

Thomas Eakins

PORTRAIT OF GENERAL GEORGE CADWALADER, 1880

Sale Date: November 13, 2017

Auction Closed

STUDY FOR WILLIAM RUSH AND HIS MODEL, 1908

Thomas Eakins

STUDY FOR WILLIAM RUSH AND HIS MODEL, 1908

Sale Date: May 23, 2017

Auction Closed

Dr. Gilbert Lafayette Parker, 1910

Thomas Eakins

Dr. Gilbert Lafayette Parker, 1910

Sale Date: May 23, 2017

Auction Closed

Portrait of Walt Whitman, Brooklyn, 1887

Attributed to Thomas Eakins

Portrait of Walt Whitman, Brooklyn, 1887

Sale Date: February 14, 2017

Auction Closed

English (US)

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